The RID pump replaces the conveyor belt

Based on Archimedes' screw, MMC First Process has developed a game changer for the factory of the future, which enables more gentle, hygienic and sustainable fish handling compared with the conveyor belt.

'If we were to build a new factory today, it would have very few conveyor belts,' says Rune Hoddevik, factory manager at Pelagia Liavåg. Pelagia Liavåg has tested out the new RID pump from MMC First Process during the past two seasons.

'And we have seen that it works. The quality of the fish is greatly improved.' Not only has the quality improved – the RID pump can potentially increase capacity by 20% or more, as a result of a more even input and greater utilisation of weights.

Gentle enough to leave eggs unscathed

Ragnar Ingolfsson is from Iceland and has worked in the fish industry for decades. He was visiting a school friend when he saw something that triggered the idea of using Archimedes' screw for shifting fish. The challenge was to make the screw that shifts the water gentle enough to handle the fish and not simply push them along, but also include suction. The solution was to use air. Ingolfsson has created a pump in which the balance between trapped air and water inside the pump ensures that the fish have a very comfortable final journey.

'I have tested it with eggs. The egg shells didn’t crack. I also tested it with tomatoes, hundreds of times. They also came out completely intact and unscathed.’

(The article continues underneath this photo.)

In photo: From left in front of RID pump, Factory manager at Pelagia Liavaag, Rune Hoddevik, Technical director in FHF, Lars R. Lovund, Vice President in MMC First Process, Petter Leon Fauske, Sales Manager in MMC First Process, Per Arild Aamelfot and Technical Engineer in MMC First Process, Ragnar Ingolfsson.

Fillets and live fish

Trial operation of the RID pump at Pelagia Liavåg has shown that the pump boosts both quality and capacity. The pump that is used has a 200 millimetre pipe and the capacity to shift 115 cubic metres of water per hour, but it is scalable and can be used to shift everything from smolt to salmon, as well as cod and other white fish. Because of the gentle treatment, the pump can be used for fillets as well as live fish. And because the system is based on both suction and pumping, it can be used for both onshore and vessel facilities.

The fish remains submerged in chilled water throughout the process. This keeps the temperature low and saves energy when the fish is frozen. That the fish is enclosed by the pipe walls also makes for greater hygiene than open conveyor belts, and the pipes are much easier to keep clean. Thus you save on both work and cleaning agents.

Game changer

Ragnar Ingolfsson has secured a patent for the pump, which has been developed in collaboration with MMC First Process, Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) and Pelagia.

The project was initiated by the pelagic fish industry in collaboration with FHF and MMC First Process. The development of the RID pump comes under FHF's Pelagic Factory of the Future projects, and Lars R Lovund, technical director in FHF, tells us that we have to go far back in time to find an innovation to match this logistic solution comprising the RID pump, transport pipe, electronic control and distribution of raw material.

'This is one of the most forward-looking and interesting technology projects that has been accomplished as part of FHF's efforts for the pelagic fish industry, and it will also be possible to use the technology in other parts of the seafood industry.'

Full scale trials will now be carried out of the RID pump at Pelagia Måløy and it will be stress-tested in production during the North Sea herring season. And Deputy Director Petter Leon Fauske of MMC First Process looks forward to presenting the industry with a game changer.

'The RID pump will completely change the way we shift the fish. The RID system is better for the industry and better for the fish, and that is good news for the industry as a whole.'

Photo front page: RID pump

Facts MMC First Process

MMC First Process is a company that provides innovative solutions within handling and cooling seafood on fishing vessels, farming and land facilities. Main office in Fosnavaag, and there are 153 employees in the group of departments. Branch company of Havyard Group ASA.

MMC First Process divides into three department areas:

MMC First Process, dept. Handling with office in Fosnavaag

MMC First Process, dept. Process with office in Sjoeholt

MMC First Process, dept. Refrigeration with main office in Vigra and branches in Tromsoe and Haugesund